Chair of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick with author Declan Carville and daughter Grace

FINN McCool, a fairy queen, and woodland fawns are just some of the characters you could bump into at the Footsteps in the Forest Festival in Co Armagh.

On August 26-27th at Slieve Gullion Forest Park mischievous trolls will guide adventure seekers through the forest in a theatrical tour featuring the Birdman of Slieve Donard and the legendary witch Cailleach Bheara, among others.

The two-day festival has been created by writer Declan Carville as part of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s summer of Giant Adventures.

The tour is free, as is other children’s entertainment, demonstrations and live music.

A food market will be open on both days too.

Newry, Mourne and Down District chair Cllr Gillian Fitzpatrick said: “The beauty of Slieve Gullion Forest, steeped in myth and legend, is an ideal backdrop for this magical new festival.

"Footsteps in the Forest is a two-day event which will bring the forest alive with drama, comedy and the art of storytelling as families meet over 20 characters on their enchanted tour of the forest.”

The event will run from 10am to 7.30pm daily.

To book a tour visit https://www.ringofgullion.org/events/lunasa-festival-footsteps-forest/

Characters from the Footsteps in the Forest festival in Slieve Gullion 26-27 August